arseilles_, and have been so cautious,
as to suffer none of the Passengers to come on Shoar, without first being
dis-rob'd of all their Apparel, and even to be well wash'd with Sea Water,
and then likewise to perform Quarentine in a little Island, remote from
the Inhabitants. I could mention many Relations we have had, of the
Sufferings of the poor People belonging to _Marseilles_, who to avoid the
dismal Consequence of the Plague, have flown for Refuge into the Country,
and have either been starv'd to Death, or Murder'd by the Country People;
but yet we find, that notwithstanding all these Precautions, that
Pestilence continues to destroy as much as ever, and makes it Advances
every Day more towards us.

It is computed, that about 60000 are Dead of the Plague at _Marseilles_;
and that there are now (_October 20. N. S._) above 14000, Persons left
in that Town, including 10000 Sick; and at _Aubagne_, out of 10000 who
retir'd thither from _Marseilles_, above 9000 are Dead.

On this sad Occasion of the Ruin of _Marseilles_ especially since there is
talk of Burning that Town, it may not be unseasonable to give an Account
of it.

'_Marseilles_ is one of the most considerable Cities in _France_, and
the most Populous and most trading Town of all _Provance_. It is so
Antient, that it is reckon'd to have been Built upwards of Six
Hundred and Thirty Years before the Birth of our Saviour. It was once
a very flourishing Republick; and its University was in such Esteem,
as drew Students thither from all Parts of _Europe_.

'_Marseilles_ is situate at the Foot of a Hill, which rises in the
Form of an Amphitheatre in proportion to its Distance from the Sea.
The Harbour is Oval, and bounded by a Key about fourteen hundred
Paces long, upon which stand the handsomest Houses in the Town. It
affords a very delightful Walk, Part whereof is taken up in the Day
time by the working Gally-Slaves Stalls, where you may furnish your
self with Cloaths and other Necessaries; the Entrance of the Harbour
is shut up by a Chain supported at certain Distances by three
Stone-Pillars; so that only one large Ship can pass at a time, tho'
the Haven will contain about Five hundred. And hither are brought all
sorts of Commodities from all Parts of the known World.

'The Cathedral Church, call'd _Notre Dame la Majeure_, whereof S.
_Lazarus_ is Patron, is very Sol